Certified Nursing Assistant salary in South Dakota
Certified Nursing Assistants in South Dakota earn a median of $18.30 per hour, about $38,070 a year, 4% below the U.S. median of $19.01. The middle half earn between $16.83 and $19.93 per hour. The highest median among South Dakota metro areas is in Sioux Falls, SD-MN, at $18.30 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $18.30median pay per hour
- $38,070median pay per year
- 6,520employed in South Dakota
- #32of 50 states by median pay
Certified Nursing Assistant pay in South Dakota: percentiles
| Level | South Dakota per hour | South Dakota per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $14.41 | $29,970 | $15.09 |
| Lower quartile | $16.83 | $35,010 | $17.44 |
| Median | $18.30 | $38,070 | $19.01 |
| Upper quartile | $19.93 | $41,450 | $22.15 |
| Top 10% | $21.67 | $45,070 | $24.11 |
Certified Nursing Assistant pay by metro area in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs South Dakota median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $18.30 | $38,070 | 2,900 | in line with | $20.19 |
| Rapid City, SD | $17.91 | $37,250 | 910 | 2% below | $20.09 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Certified Nursing Assistant pay in states next to South Dakota
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $18.57 | $38,630 | 1% above South Dakota |
| Minnesota | $21.91 | $45,580 | 20% above South Dakota |
| Montana | $18.89 | $39,300 | 3% above South Dakota |
| North Dakota | $21.25 | $44,190 | 16% above South Dakota |
| Nebraska | $18.57 | $38,620 | 1% above South Dakota |
| Wyoming | $18.44 | $38,360 | 1% above South Dakota |
What employers are posting in South Dakota
- 56roles with published pay
- $22.88median pay per hour
- $18–$26typical published range
- 2employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Avera Health | 55 | $22.88 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $24.60 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 56 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in South Dakota · Certified Nursing Assistant salary nationwide · South Dakota state guide
Common questions
How much does a certified nursing assistant make in South Dakota?
The median is $18.30 per hour, about $38,070 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $14.41 and the top 10% earn over $21.67 (BLS, May 2024).
Which South Dakota city pays certified nursing assistants the most?
Among South Dakota metro areas, Sioux Falls, SD-MN has the highest median at $18.30 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does South Dakota rank for certified nursing assistant pay?
South Dakota ranks 32nd of 50 states by median certified nursing assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay certified nursing assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
80+ Certified Nursing Assistant roles in South Dakota, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your CNA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your South Dakota list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Avera HealthPierre, SD · 55 postings$22.88/ hr$18–$28
- CommonSpirit HealthBURIEN, WA · 7 postings$31.52/ hr$23–$41
- Emanate HealthCovina, CA · 6 postings$28.75/ hr$21–$34
- MultiCareTacoma, WA · 105 postings$28.55/ hr$21–$44
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your South Dakota list
2What they are offering now
56 CNA postings with published pay in South Dakota, 23 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 56 CNA roles
- Nursing Assistant or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Long Term CarePermanent$19.75–$27.50/ hour
- Patient Care Technician | Discharge LoungePermanent$18.00–$23.50/ hour
+ 54 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.